Before and After: Coleman High School, Greenville

You may remember back last summer around this time when I was doing the Book Quotes about Hitchcock and Johnson’s The International Style, I posted this old postcard of Coleman High School in Greenville.

I was in Greenville recently and decided to check on this school, which I think may now be a middle school. There’s a historic marker that I failed to take a picture of–but no matter, the new helpful Greenville/Washington Co. Preservation website has all the historic markers right there so we can read them from the comfort of our own homes:

COLEMAN HIGH SCHOOL – MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BOULEVARD, GREENVILLE MS – Named for Lizzie W. Coleman, who was principal of the No. 2 Elementary School. Coleman High School was among the first high schools for African-Americans in the Mississippi Delta. The school served as Greenville’s main high school for African-Americans until 1970. First located on Nelson Street, the school moved to Cleveland Street in 1922. The present school, designed by architect N. W. Overstreet, was built here in 1952. Lizzie Coleman’s motto was “Burn the midnight oil! Be prepared!”

I certainly can’t argue with Ms. Coleman, although I’ve recently been told that I’ve been burning too much midnight oil and that it’s making me cranky. To which I reply, “I’m naturally cranky–mind your own business!”

Anyway, as I thought I remembered back in last year’s post, Coleman seems to be in fairly good repair but has had its windows replaced. It’s not the worst window replacement I’ve ever seen, not even close–even so, I wish they had worked harder to keep the extreme horizontality of the originals. It looks like most of the original awning-type steel windows are still in place on the secondary elevations.

Like this:

27 replies

I taught at this school from 2004-2006. It is indeed a middle school now, with the only real nod to the building’s former use as a high school being a large but disorganized trophy case with some artifacts in it. The fourth shot down in your photo series is the back of the library. A teacher told me that this was a cafeteria space at one point in time, but I’m not sure how accurate that is.

The front facade of the building is in much better repair than the back side. The building has also been added onto since its original construction. The interior of the building is in fairly good shape and was kept clean when I was there. The biggest problem with the space was the classrooms, which are cinderblock rectangles that are just a smidge small for the needs of a modern classroom. Several of them had exterior windows which needed to be repaired or replaced. My room still had old, dimpled green chalkboards which were not very useful and wall mounted fans that looked like tiny versions of cotton gin fans.

A lot of alums of Coleman High School took great pride in the school. Nice to see it noted here.

I graduated from Coleman High, in 1963, I’ve not had a chance to see the front of the school since about 1980, I’ve not seen the school the from that time.
During our time the trophy case was a show case of pride, Music, Sport, and some Academics. Looking at the the photos I find it hard to see the old library space as the Cafeteria, it seem so adequate as library regardless of other changes that might have been made, during our time, there weren’t awful lot books, but a lot space on the shelves for added books. Hopefully that has changed.

Hello, I am doing my family history, and I recently found out by my great grandaunt that this school was named after my cousin Lizzie. I am a Williams, Calahan descendant, and would like to pick your brain a little if possible to see if there is a connection somewhere that could aid me in my research in finding my lost living relatives! My 3rd great grandparents were Albert Samuel Wiliams & Bertha Williams who died in 1924 of pneumonia. She was also a school teacher in Greenville. There was also Willis funeral home that was downtown on Washington Ave., that was family owned! If you know if anyone connected to these families please send them my way! Other family surnames are: Calahan, Coleman, Calaham, Willis, Williams……I am trying to break down a few walls. Your reply via email to: MrRCollinsIII@gmail.com would certainly mean alot!

Lester Fowler Jr. My family was connected to a Bertha Williams. Time line much later. Around the 1950,s residing 1st on Nelson street near broadway. Later had a house on Gloster near the rail road tracks across the street from Sacred Heart School property. I last visited Bertha around 1960. Eddie William , her husband could have been a relative. Cousin to my father Lester senior. Son of JD Fowler well known around Greenville.

Do you know a Jeannie Williams who did a Junior Year Abroad in France in 1966-67. I assume she would have graduated from Coleman High School in 1964. Her family were well-established Greenville African-Americans but her mother I believe worked for a newspaper. I assume she would be about 72 now. I knew her in Aix-en-Provence from March of 1967 until the end of that semester.
Any help appreciated.
Sam aka as Shushu back then

There is so much history about this school. It’s sad that the students today are not aware of this. I’m told that they hear of the negative that has become the norm of these students.Hopefully they get a true meaning of what a Coleman tiger is when the reunion occurs in 2014.

Hello, I am doing my family history, and I recently found out by my great grandaunt that this school was named after my cousin Lizzie. I am a Williams descendant, and would like to pick your brain about your ancestors if possible to see if there is a connection somewhere. My 3rd great grandparents were Albert Samuel Wiliams & Bertha Williams who died in 1924 of pneumonia. She was also a school teacher in Greenville. Other family surnames are: Calahan, Coleman, Calaham, Willis, Williams……I am trying to break down a few walls. Your reply via email to: MrRCollinsIII@gmail.com would certainly mean alot!

Does anyone know where to go to get copies of high school transcripts from this Coleman High School ? I am a counselor trying to help a student get into college and because the school is closed we are having some difficulty. Thank you in advance for any direction you may be able to offer. amy.callahan@ashford.edu

My father was the head coach in basketball and football at Coleman High School in the late 40 and early 50! His name was William Cummings! If anyone recognizes this could you e-mail me at. Dlynmck@yahoo.com! Thank you 🙏

I was indeed one of the last graduates of Coleman High School in 1970. I always visit the grounds of the school when I am home. Each and everyone of my adult children know the rich history of this great institution and the influence that it had on my life. Whenever I go in the world, I always reflect on the fond memories of the school and the teachers, such as Mr. T.T. Robinson, Mrs. Alma Alexander, Mrs Leyser Crawford Holmes, Miss Etta Crawford, Mr. John Warren, Mrs Lottie B. Catholic, Mr. Phield Parish, Mr. Bennie Long, Mr. jonh Richardson, Mrs. Bettye Farmer, Mr. Riley, Mr. Jewell Lockhart, and all of the others which I cannot name here, but deserve the same accolades as those that I have mentioned. Love them all and my classmates. Coleman has such a rich tradition of excellence which I hope will be preserved forever.

My father’s name is Willie Davis Hibler. I was told that he was on the football team and Graduated from Coleman High. I’m not totally sure of the dates he attended. If you knew him, will you please share a memory?

Hello Kosiki, I am Dr. Albert Calvin, Jr., a childhood friend and classmate of your late, father, Willie Davis Hibler. He attended Coleman High School 1962-1968. He was on the football and track teams. I attended Coleman from 1962 – 1966 and graduated from T. L. Weston in 1968. Your father and I kept up with each other until he passed away. He was one of my close friends in school.

Wow! thanks for sharing this wonderful article. I attended Coleman from fall 1970 to 1972. The first year of integration. It fortunately uneventful. I do have a question, does anyone know how I could copies of the 1970/71/72 year book? Please let me know, Shalom

I tried but was unable to pull up a photo from the webpage that you listed. I would love to see the photo and would probably be able to identify the people. Can you give it a second try to list the webpage. THANKS!!!

I attended Coleman Jr. High (7th – 9th grade: 1977 – 1980) and can’t imagine a better middle school experience. I was in the band, the flag corp, student government and I loved it! I remembered how supportive the staff & faculty were; they were like a second set of parents who truly cared about your education & success in life.

Blog Stats

2,223,125 posts read since 2009

About MissPres

Welcome to Preservation in Mississippi, a blog about historic buildings, places, and even a few people in Mississippi. Preservation has a long history in the Magnolia State, and we hope this blog will help build a stronger community of local and state preservationists. Join the discussion, talk back, agree, disagree, etc. by adding your comments (insightful, silly, but always respectful) and sharing important stories from your neck of the woods.

News Updates

101 Places to See Before You Die!

Goings-On About MS

Click here for a calendar of events in the great big world of Mississippi preservation

Upcoming Events

Mississippi River Basin Model CleanupJuly 4, 2020 at 8:00 am – 12:00 pmBuddy Butts Park, 6180 McRaven Rd, Jackson, MS 39209, USAPlease join us for our monthly clean up event. We are working to take back the model from the overgrowth. We have several types of activities from removing dirt, debris on the panels to cutting down and removing invasive trees. Activities for all ages including kids who can help with littler prevention.